
Establishment
White fir may be regenerated by natural seeding,
direct seeded, or planted. Cones begin to disintegrate
and shed seeds in late September or early October,
and there is a good seed crop about every 2 to 5
years. The seed germinates in the spring but usually
less than 50 percent of the seed germinate. White fir
is generally rated as tolerant to very tolerant of shade
so that selective (partial) cutting tends to favor this
species. Initial growth rate is usually very slow up to
about 30 years, then growth accelerates markedly. In
planting white fir 2 to 4 year old stock is
recommended. In direct seeding 10 to 15 seeds per
spot is recommended. To ensure adequate stocking
of natural seedings, clear cutting strips 130 to 200
feet wide or patches up to 250 feet across the largest
dimension is recommended. At least 10 seed trees
per acre should be left if larger areas are clear cut
when adequate seedlings are not present.
Management
On better sites fully stocked, unmanaged stands of
white fir may yield up to 150,000 board feet per acre
at age 100. Thinning white fir stands periodically
will salvage trees which would be lost to natural
mortality. Pruning is not ordinarily recommended for
white fir because of its tendency for epicormic
sprouting and unless the tree is being grown for
veneer or finish lumber, there is not need for this
practice.
Young trees are easily killed by fire and must be
protected from this hazard. Young sapling and pole
sized trees are subject to sunscald when exposed
suddenly, and thinnings should be light because of
this. White fir is more prone to windthrow than
ponderosa pine because of its more shallow, wide
spreading root system, and care should be taken in
partial cuttings to leave buffer strips against the wind
and to thin conservatively.
White fir Christmas trees require 6 to 9 years to
produce a 6 foot tree. They need cultivation or other
treatment to prevent excessive competition from
grass. Excessive leader growth will need to be
controlled by basal pruning, basal scarring or pruning
of the terminal shoot. Leader growth should be kept
to about 12 inches.
Pests and Potential Problems
Some of the more important enemies of white fir are
the spruce budworm, Douglas-fir tussock moth, many
different bark beetles, mistletoe and heart rot fungi.
Needle rusts may be a serious problem in producing
Christmas trees, and white fir is one of the conifers
most sensitive to sulphur dioxide.
Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and
area of origin)
White pine seed can be purchased at most
commercial seed sources in the west. Seedlings can
also be purchased from pine nurseries in the western
part of the country.
Prepared By & Species Coordinator:
USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program
31Jan2002 JLK; 24may06jsp
For more information about this and other plants, please contact
your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the
PLANTS Web site<
http://plants.usda.gov> or the Plant Materials
Program Web site <
http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov>
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